NORWICH – Convicted robber James F. Bush was sentenced to 15 years in State prison Thursday for his participation in a drug holdup that left his co-conspirator shot dead.

A jury convicted Bush Oct. 28 on several of the top felony charges against him, including burglary, criminal possession of a weapon and attempted robbery.

Supreme Court Kevin M. Dowd sentenced Bush to multiple concurrent sentences on the separate charges, the longest being 15 years.

“This blind assertion that you had nothing to do with this is absurd,” he said to Bush, who maintained throughout the trial he knew nothing of the robbery and was just giving his friend a ride.

First Assistant District Attorney Stephen M. Dunshee requested the maximum sentence of 25 years to life.

“You put yourself first. And everything you want to do, you do, and never accept the consequences of it. And now is the time to meet the piper. You’re 47 years old, and your life has been basically nothing but criminal activity. Some violent, most of it garbage.,” added the judge before passing sentence.

Bush made a statement to the court saying he maintained his innocence and loved his friend Joshua Richheimer, who was killed in the robbery.

“I am not guilty. I just gave him a ride,” said Bush.